Algernon Black || The Rise of a God ||

(Chapter 11) To Painfull to Recall

Lucy shot out of bed sweating and panting. She felt as if she had just awoken from the deepest of sleep, but it wasn't comfortable nor rejuvenating as her head spun with a stabbing pain.

She placed a hand on a flat surface to quash the sensation of movement—a few more moments of motion passed before she realized she was actually moving.

Lucy glimpsed around the little wood cabin to a round porthole letting in the afternoon sunlight. Out the window, all she saw was the blue of the ocean's glistening waves peaking and subsiding.

"You're awake." She heard Jared cheer. "How do you feel?" he asked, rushing to bring her a glass of water.

Lucy took the glass but pouted down at it.

"Hangovers get the best of us all," Jared said to her silence. "I know I've had my fair share of them. And the drinks of Atexul were stronger than anything I've had before. It's no wonder someone like yourself who doesn't drink got as incapacitated as you did. I even had to carry you onto the ship myself."

"I don't remember that," Lucy softly muttered. All she could recall was meeting Rasmus and his father, dropping off the horns, and maybe someone else? All else was a blank. She concentrated hard on trying to recall it, but it brought about a horrible headache.

"Well when our memories are too painful to recall," Jared replied, raising the glass up to her lips. "It's best to leave them be."

Lucy swallowed and Jared watched as the water fizzled from the drop of relaxant potion he laced it with. A recommendation from the mind sower.

After a few more gulps Lucy started to feel good enough to hold and let go of thoughts again.

"How far are we to Lanesberg?" She could at least remember their intended destination through last night's blur.

"Probably another day and a half," Jared replied. "But only another two hours from Arlamoore." He swallowed hard at his own words.

"Arlamoore? As in Emora's Capital?" Lucy exclaimed, the excitement as eminent in her voice as it was on her face. "Are we going to Emora?"

Jared nodded, and a smile broke across Lucy's cheeks, her morning apprehension now completely overridden. They hadn't been in Emora since Lucy was too young to remember, but she'd always wanted to return, not only because it was her birthplace, but because everywhere they traveled people talked about Emora like it was the epicenter of the world, and she always wondered if it was as fantastic as she imagined it to be.

"What for?" she asked all giggles and smiles.

"Well, Lucy," Jared said, his voice straining. "I think it's time that you expand your education past what I can teach you." He poured himself a glass of water with the same potion.

Lucy's hope grew but she dared not let them carry her too far away yet.

"You know of the school the last good king built?" Jared asked as if she didn't dream of it every night.

Lucy nodded.

"Well," Jared said, covering up his drying voice with a swing of water. "I've arranged for you to start your studies there."

"Attwood!" Lucy screamed. "They're allowing me to study at Attwood?"

"Yes," Jared replied as if it pained him too. "But it may not be permanent," he added. "Depending on some factors."

"I can't believe they would allow me in the first place!" Lucy said nearly jumping with joy. "I thought you had to be so special to attend."

"Don't ever think you aren't special." Jared immediately returned,  "Especially compared to anyone in that school."

"Right," Lucy said, not being able to contain her smile even though Jared seemed so suddenly upset. "When does it start?"

"Monday."

"As in two days from now?" Lucy asked.

"Yes." Jared put down the empty glass and swallowed past the clot of nerves constricting his throat. "But we'll have to get you moved into your dorm tonight. And gather all the things you'll need today."

"I'll be there so soon?" Lucy asked, feeling as much excitement as she now did worry. She turned to her brother who she had never been without for as long as she could remember. "But what about you?"

"Me? What about me?" Jared replied, taking a seat beside his sister. "You're about to start a journey Lucy, one that may change your life forever." He laid a hand on top of her head, patting down the mess of hair from her deep sleep. Growing up whenever she was frustrated with learning magic or feeling scared, he would comfort her this way, and it worked just as well to make her feel better as it did to make him feel what was undoubtedly the best feeling in his life, the joy of raising her.

"You don't need to worry about me, just worry about doing what is best for yourself." He smiled down as he thought back to all their times together. Even as a child, she was so naturally kindhearted, and because of him, ignorant to so much. "And don't ever let anyone say you don't deserve a place amongst the best of them."

Lucy bobbed her head, even with doubt now accompanying her excitement.

"Going to that school isn't going to be easy, but it's not meant to be." Jared stared into his sister's wide eyes. "Like learning to swim there's nothing I can say that will prepare you to jump into open water, but remember even at the hardest times, you've never drowned."

"I had you watching over me then," Lucy said. "Anyone can be brave when they know there is someone ready to jump in and save them."

"Now you have to be ready to save yourself," Jared saddened. Until I can come back and protect you myself. He swore to himself.

Lucy bit the inside of her cheeks; a habit formed whenever apprehension rippled and what had caused her cheekbones to develop so high and defined over the years.

She would be without the support of her brother, at a school where she knew no one. And with that, it meant no one was there to save her if she drowned. But she'd jumped into plenty of water without anyone watching and hadn't drowned yet.